Textbook
Wiley Pathways SellingISBN: 978-0-470-11125-3
Paperback
352 pages
March 2007, ©2008
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Part I: The Art of Selling 1
1 The Life and Career of a Professional Salesperson 1
Introduction 2
1.1 Understanding the Universal Need for Sales 2
1.1.1 Using Sales Skills 2
1.1.2 The Concept of Selling 3
Self-Check 4
1.2 Using the Approaches of the Trade 4
1.2.1 Person-to-Person 4
1.2.2 Telemarketing 5
1.2.3 Direct Mail 5
1.2.4 E-Mail 5
1.2.5 The Internet 6
Self-Check 6
1.3 Experiencing the Learning Curve 6
1.3.1 Unconscious Incompetence 6
1.3.2 Conscious Incompetence 7
1.3.3 Conscious Competence 7
1.3.4 Unconscious Competence 7
Self-Check 8
1.4 Describing the Ideal Sales Professional 8
1.4.1 Creating the Selling Triangle 8
1.4.2 The 10 Characteristics of a Successful
Sales Professional 8
Self-Check 10
1.5 Shifting into High Gear: Professional Sales 11
1.5.1 Preparing Before the Sales Pitch 11
1.5.2 Maintaining Professionalism in Your Presentation 12
1.5.3 Communicating Effectively 13
1.5.4 Having Realistic Expectations 14
1.5.5 Maintaining Your Discipline and Commitment 15
1.5.6 Evaluating Yourself 15
Self-Check 16
1.6 Using Technology in Sales 16
Self-Check 18
Summary 18
Key Terms 19
Summary Questions 20
Applying This Chapter 21
You Try It 22
2 Ethical and Legal Issues in Selling 23
Introduction 24
2.1 Making Ethical Decisions 24
2.1.1 The Role of a Job Description in Ensuring Ethics 26
2.1.2 The Role of the Business Environment in Ethics 27
2.1.3 Ethics Training 29
Self-Check 29
2.2 Factors That Influence the Ethics of Salespeople 30
2.2.1 Relativism and Idealism 30
2.2.2 Machiavellianism 30
2.2.3 Conventional Morality 31
Self-Check 32
2.3 Ethical Problems Salespeople Face 32
2.3.1 Hiring and Firing 32
2.3.2 House Accounts 33
2.3.3 Expense Accounts 33
2.3.4 Gifts for Buyers 34
2.3.5 Bribes 34
2.3.6 Entertainment 35
2.3.7 Sexual Harassment 36
2.3.8 Whistle-blowing 37
Self-Check 38
2.4 Relying on Government Regulation for Sales Ethics 39
2.4.1 Reasons for Regulations 39
2.4.2 Problems with Regulation 39
Self-Check 40
Summary 40
Key Terms 40
Summary Questions 42
Applying This Chapter 43
You Try It 44
Part II: Preparing for the Sale 45
3 Why People Buy 45
Introduction 46
3.1 Uncovering Needs and Wants 46
Self-Check 48
3.2 Developing the Seven Steps of the Sales Strategy 49
3.2.1 Step 1: Prospecting 49
3.2.2 Step 2: Original Contact 50
3.2.3 Step 3: Qualification 50
3.2.4 Step 4: Presentation 51
3.2.5 Step 5: Addressing Concerns 51
3.2.6 Step 6: Closing the Sale 51
3.2.7 Step 7: Getting Referrals 52
Self-Check 52
3.3 Buying Motives 52
3.3.1 Task Motives vs. Personal Buying Motives 53
3.3.2 Transactional Relationship vs. Consultative Relationships 54
Self-Check 56
3.4 How Customers Make Buying Decisions 56
3.4.1 The Standardized Model 56
3.4.2 The Need-Satisfaction Model 57
3.4.3 The Problem-Solution Model 58
3.4.4 Thinking Outside the Models 58
Self-Check 59
Summary 60
Key Terms 60
Summary Questions 62
Applying This Chapter 62
You Try It 64
4 Communication Skills for Relationship Building 65
Introduction 66
4.1 The Importance of Communication Skills in Sales 66
Self-Check 67
4.2 Developing Communication-Style Flexibility 67
4.2.1 Believers 67
4.2.2 Wheeler-dealers 67
4.2.3 No-Nonsense Buyers 68
4.2.4 Evaders 68
4.2.5 Complainers 68
4.2.6 Analyzers 69
4.2.7 Power Seekers 69
4.2.8 Disorganized and Controlling Buyers 69
4.2.9 Cynics 70
Self-Check 70
4.3 Communication Do’s and Don’ts 71
4.3.1 Positive Nonverbal Messages 71
4.3.2 Negative Nonverbal Messages 72
Self-Check 72
4.4 Vocabulary of a Great Salesperson 72
Self-Check 73
4.5 Listening to Your Clients 73
Self-Check 75
4.6 Cultural Considerations 75
4.6.1 Unique Cultural Needs 75
4.6.2 Getting Names Right 76
4.6.3 Making an Appointment 77
4.6.4 Presenting Your Business Card 77
4.6.5 Respecting Personal Space 78
4.6.6 Meeting and Greeting People 78
4.6.7 Giving Gifts 78
4.6.8 Choosing Your Words Wisely 80
Self-Check 80
4.7 Relationship Building 80
4.7.1 The Evolution of a Relationship 81
4.7.2 Relationship Binders 81
4.7.3 Relating Skills 85
Self-Check 86
Summary 87
Key Terms 87
Summary Questions 89
Applying This Chapter 90
You Try It 92
5 Prospecting 93
Introduction 94
5.1 Prospecting: An Introduction 94
Self-Check 95
5.2 Where to Find Prospects 95
5.2.1 Current Customers 95
5.2.2 Chambers of Commerce and Public Libraries 96
5.2.3 The Internet 97
5.2.4 List Brokers 97
5.2.5 Your Current Contacts 97
5.2.6 The Yellow Pages and Toll-Free Directories 99
5.2.7 Your Colleagues and Other Professionals 99
5.2.8 The Newspaper 101
Self-Check 101
5.3 Qualifying a Prospect 101
5.3.1 Following the NEADS Formula 102
5.3.2 Questioning Your Way to Success 103
Self-Check 106
5.4 Organizing Your Prospect Information 106
5.4.1 An Organized Workspace 107
5.4.2 Technological Tools 107
5.4.3 Organization in Contacting Prospects 109
Self-Check 112
5.5 Developing a Prospecting and Sales Forecasting Plan 112
5.5.1 Qualitative Methods 113
5.5.2 Data Needed in Order to Use Qualitative Methods 113
5.5.3 Quantitative Techniques 117
Self-Check 118
Summary 118
Key Terms 119
Summary Questions 121
Applying This Chapter 121
You Try It 123
6 Planning a Sales Call 124
Introduction 125
6.1 Obtaining Knowledge 125
6.1.1 The Product 127
6.1.2 Your Customers 128
6.1.3 Your Organization 130
6.1.4 The Competition 130
6.1.5 The Environment 131
Self-Check 132
6.2 Developing a Marketing Strategy 133
6.2.1 Market Segmentation 133
6.2.2 Target Marketing 135
6.2.3 Positioning Strategy 136
6.2.4 Understanding the Purchasing Process 137
Self-Check 138
6.3 Establishing Sales Presentation Objectives 138
Self-Check 140
6.4 Advocating Skills 140
Self-Check 140
Summary 140
Key Terms 141
Summary Questions 143
Applying This Chapter 143
You Try It 145
Part III: The Selling Process 146
7 Making a Sales Call 146
Introduction 147
7.1 Getting an Appointment 147
7.1.1 Telephone Calls 147
7.1.2 In-Person Calls 150
7.1.3 Letters 150
7.1.4 Third-Party Introductions 151
Self-Check 151
7.2 Making a First Impression 151
Self-Check 152
7.3 Approaching a Customer 152
7.3.1 Managing Sales Call Anxiety and Motivation 154
7.3.2 Courtesy and Common Sense 155
7.3.3 Being Observant 156
Self-Check 156
7.4 Before Opening the Presentation 157
Self-Check 158
7.5 Using Attention-Getters 158
Self-Check 159
7.6 The Biggest Sales Mistakes 159
Self-Check 160
Summary 160
Key Terms 160
Summary Questions 161
Applying This Chapter 161
You Try It 163
8 Elements of a Great Sales Presentation 164
Introduction 165
8.1 The Importance of the Sales Presentation 165
Self-Check 165
8.2 Components of a Successful Presentation 165
8.2.1 Finding the Power Players 166
8.2.2 Keeping the Presentation as Brief as Possible 166
8.2.3 Handling Breaks 167
8.2.4 Preparing Beforehand 167
8.2.5 Customizing Your Materials 169
8.2.6 Developing Your Selling Vocabulary 169
8.2.7 Deciphering Body Language 173
8.2.8 Being Comfortable with Long-Distance Presentations 174
8.2.9 Establishing Trust 175
Self-Check 176
8.3 Solution Presentations 176
Self-Check 177
8.4 Adjuncts to a Presentation 177
8.4.1 Product Specifications 177
8.4.2 Written Proposals 177
Self-Check 179
8.5 Proof Devices for Effective Sales Presentations 179
8.5.1 The Product 179
8.5.2 Visual Aids 180
8.5.3 Demonstrations 182
Self-Check 182
Summary 183
Key Terms 183
Summary Questions 184
Applying This Chapter. 185
You Try It 186
9 Responding to Objections 187
Introduction 188
9.1 Negotiating Buyer Concerns and Problems 188
Self-Check 189
9.2 Common Sources of Buyer Concerns 189
9.2.1 Fear of Salespeople 190
9.2.2 Fear of Failure 191
9.2.3 Fear of Owing Money 191
9.2.4 Fear of Deception 192
9.2.5 Fear of Embarrassment 192
9.2.6 Fear of the Unknown 193
9.2.7 Fear of Repeating Past Mistakes 193
9.2.8 Fear Generated by Others 194
Self-Check 194
9.3 General Steps for Negotiating Buyer Concerns 194
Self-Check 194
9.4 Specific Steps in Negotiating Buyer Concerns 195
9.4.1 Listening to the Client’s Feelings 195
9.4.2 Share the Concerns Without Judgment 196
9.4.3 Clarifying the Real Issue by Asking Questions 196
9.4.4 Problem-Solving by Presenting Options and Solutions 197
9.4.5 Asking for Action to Determine Commitment 200
Self-Check 200
Summary 201
Key Terms 201
Summary Questions 202
Applying This Chapter 202
You Try It 203
10 Closing a Sale 204
Introduction 205
10.1 Guidelines for Closing a Sale 205
10.1.1 Focusing on Buying Motives 206
10.1.2 Using Trial Closes to Gauge Interest 206
10.1.3 Asking a Reflex Question 208
10.1.4 Knowing What You Can Deliver 208
10.1.5 Displaying Self-Confidence 208
10.1.6 Asking for the Order More Than Once 209
10.1.7 Recognizing Closing Cues 209
Self-Check 210
10.2 Closing Techniques 211
10.2.1 The Basic Oral Close 211
10.2.2 The Basic Written Close 211
10.2.3 The Alternative Choice Close 211
10.2.4 The Porcupine Method 211
10.2.5 The Summary Close 212
10.2.6 Sharp Angling 212
10.2.7 The Higher Authority Close 213
10.2.8 Advanced Closing Techniques 214
Self-Check 217
10.3 Dealing with “I Want to Think It Over” 217
Self-Check 218
Summary 218
Key Terms 218
Summary Questions 220
Applying This Chapter 221
You Try It 222
11 After the Sale: Service to Build a Partnership 223
Introduction 224
11.1 Building Long-Term Partnerships 224
11.1.1 Creating More Value for the Customer 225
11.1.2 Achieving Successful Sales 226
Self-Check 227
11.2 Customer Service Methods That Strengthen a Partnership 227
11.2.1 Cross-Selling and Up-Selling to Grow Sales 228
11.2.2 Following Up 228
11.2.3 Sending Thank-You Notes 230
Self-Check 231
11.3 Preplanning Your Service Strategy 232
Self-Check 234
11.4 Getting Referrals 234
Self-Check 236
Summary 236
Key Terms 236
Summary Questions 238
Applying This Chapter 239
You Try It 240
Part VI: Managing Yourself and Your Career 241
12 Time and Territory Management: Keys to Success 241
Introduction 242
12.1 Managing Yourself 242
12.1.1 Self-Discipline 242
12.1.2 Good Habits 244
Self-Check 245
12.2 Time Management 245
12.2.1 Time Traps 246
12.2.2 Professional Selling Efficiency 250
12.2.3 Productivity Gains 250
Self-Check 251
12.3 Suggestions for Time Management 252
Self-Check 255
12.4 Territory Management 255
12.4.1 What Territory Management Involves 256
12.4.2 Territory Design 256
12.4.3 Sales Call Plans 257
Self-Check 258
Summary 258
Key Terms 258
Summary Questions 260
Applying This Chapter 261
You Try It 262
13 Managing and Training Others 263
Introduction 264
13.1 Sales Management Functions 264
Self-Check 265
13.2 Recruitment and Selection of Salespeople 265
13.2.1 The Planning Process 266
13.2.2 Recruiting Salespeople 266
13.2.3 Selecting Salespeople 267
13.2.4 Interviewing Salespeople 269
13.2.5 Avoiding Nine Common Recruiting Mistakes 270
13.2.6 Validating the Hiring Process 272
Self-Check 273
13.3 Orientation and Training 273
13.3.1 The Benefits of a Training Program 273
13.3.2 Planning for Training 275
Self-Check 276
13.4 Team Building 276
Self-Check 277
13.5 Sales Force Motivation 277
13.5.1 Individual Needs 278
13.5.2 Career Stages 280
13.5.3 Incentive and Recognition Programs 280
Self-Check 283
13.6 Compensation Plans 283
13.6.1 Expense Reimbursement 285
13.6.2 Benefits 285
Self-Check 285
13.7 Assessing Sales Force Productivity 286
13.7.1 Six Insights for Evaluation and Control Systems 287
Self-Check 288
Summary 289
Key Terms 289
Summary Questions 291
Applying This Chapter 292
You Try It 294
Endnotes 295
Glossary 301
Index 312